Introduction to embedded systems

Microcontroller versus Microprocessor:

By microprocessor is meant the general-purpose microprocessors such as Intel’s x86 family (8086, 80286, 80486 and Pentium etc.) or Motorola’s 680x0 family 

• CPU for Computers
• No RAM, ROM, I/O on CPU chip itsel 
• Example：Intel’s x86, Motorola’s 680x0

While in Microcontroller all the features like processor, RAM, ROM, I/O ports, timers etc. are embedded together on a single chip.

•         A smaller computer

•         On-chip RAM, ROM, I/O ports...

•         Example：Motorola’s 6811, Intel’s 8051, Zilog’s Z8 and PIC 16X

Embedded systems

• Embedded system means the processor is embedded into that application.
• An embedded product uses a microprocessor or microcontroller to do one task only.
• In an embedded system, there is only one application software that is typically burned into ROM.
• Example: Automobile-engine, video game player etc.